KRONOS or PA3X ? Trying to decide.

[muziksculp]

Hi,

I’m interested in adding either the new Korg ‘Kronos’ Workstation, or the new Korg 'PA3X' Arranger, to my project studio. I currently use (Access Virus Ti + Yamaha Motif XS7, soon will be upgrading to the Motif XF7).

Having a Korg keyboard will surly add a new flavor, and new capabilities to my studio's HW Keyboards. But… So far I have not been able to make up my mind which one of these two Korg keyboards will serve me best.

I never owned an Arranger type keyboard, but have used various workstations, plus, I’m flexible as far as adding an Arranger Keyboard such as the new Korg PA3X, I could use it both as an arranger, or just to access its great sounds. or add another Workstation (KRONOS).

I have always noticed that Arrangers from (Korg, Yamaha, Roland), tend to offer better sounding acoustic instruments, than their Workstation counterparts. I can't figure out why these companies do this ? i.e. why not offer the same quality acoustic instruments in both Arrangers, and Workstations ? Or am I wrong in this observation ?

This time around, I’m not sure how the PA3X (Acoustic sounds) compares to the KRONOS (Acoustic sounds), and I’m not just referring to PIANOs, but Acoustic sounds in general,i.e. (Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, Guitars, World Instruments, Drum Kits, Percussion, …etc.), given that the KRONOS has a huge sample library, and SSD drive for future new Libraries that might be offered via Korg, or 3rd-party sample library developers for the KRONOS.

Given that both units are still not available commercially, and it has been quite difficult for me to evaluate them from the online videos. I’m interested in your opinions, recommendations, and feedback.

I’m guessing that the best way to evaluate them is to play them in person, and decide. But, since they are not officially out yet, I have some time to meditate , and think about which one will be more appropriate for my needs.

Your feedback will be helpful, and appreciated.

Thanks,
Muziksculp.

[BasariStudios]

Having the Virus and the Motif i would defenetely go for a PA3X, not even think about Kronos.

[muziksculp]

Having the Virus and the Motif i would defenetely go for a PA3X, not even think about Kronos.

Hmmmm..... Very Interesting to hear that. First, I truly appreciate your direct answer. (the first one by the way). Thanks !

Would it be possible to give me a little bit more of an explanation/insight as to why the PA3X would be the way to go ? I'm completely un-biased, and will be more than happy to add the PA3X instead of the KRONOS. Although I have never owned an arranger keyboard.

The PA3X features, and specs are quite impressive as well. So, it's no toyish arranger, but rather a Pro-heavy weight. (and looks pretty sharp too )

Cheers,
Muziksculp

[BasariStudios]

Disclamier: Whatever i say is my personal opinion ONLY.
But i dont think Kronos's Analog Emulations can match that of a Virus TI.
So thats dropped, dont neet it.
Karma vs Arranger, 2 different things, the later one easier to use, more
usefull for the Mortal user and things faster done then with KARMA and
also more READY material available everywhere. On the other hand you
can actually have a better KARMA then Kronos on the Motif, KARMA 3.
So thats dropped, dont neet it.
Now, if you take HD1 maybe not completely but it can easily be substituted
with Motif+Virus+PA3X and in some cases PA3X will have better acoustic
Sounds then Kronos itself.
So thats dropped dont need it.

Those are the main things to worry about while else like Organs and other
stuff you will have almost the same, in cases better or worse in the other
synths as the Motif, Virus or PA3X.

I tried to be as objective as possible, i own a Virus, know the PA series
heart like a surgeon, know what the M3 can do and own one, i am a Motif
lover since forever and have one and basically what i said makes sense to me.

And to me the PA2X and PA3X are the BEST arrangers in existence right
now, better then anything else, including Audya, T4, Medistation or anything.
If you went with a PA2X not even PA3X i would still go with what i said above.
A PA2X would still be a winner.

[muziksculp]

@BasariStudios.

Hi, and Thanks again.

I totally agree with all of your points.

Karma 3 Software + Motif XF7 = Awesome !
Virus Ti = Awesome Analog Emulations, and much more !

Motif XS7 sounds are amazing ! Motif XF7 sounds are Super-Amazing, (will be getting the XF7 pretty soon). I have been using Motif's since the first classic, went to ES, XS, and now waiting for the XF. So I'm big fan of the Motif Line too.

I have not owned a KORG keyboard or module for quite some years now, the last KORG module I owned was the Trinity TR-RACK, and it sounded wonderful, I would even go as far as saying it sounded better than their Tritons, and M3 series. I sold it quite a while ago, editing it was a PITA.

You are totally correct. I think the PA3X makes a lot of sense, given that I will use a Virus Ti, and a Motif XF, the arranger functionality will be a bonus, especially for coming up with fast arrangements, plus, I can still use the PA3X as a sound module, rather than an Arranger if I wanted to do so.

It also has some quite sophisticated effects, vocal harmonizer, mastering effects, ...etc. Add to that the fun factor , which I feel it will be lots of fun to work with, offering a very special flavor of functionality and sounds to my setup.

How editable are the sounds on an PA series arrangers ? hopefully the PA3X sounds can be tweaked quite a bit if needed.

Any idea when the PA3X will be available in the U.S. ?

Ok... So, I will still have to wait, to finally make the final decision. But the more I think about the PA3X, and what it could offer/complement my setup, the more I feel that it will eventually be my choice. (I still need to test both before I make my final decision).

All The Best,
Muziksculp

[BasariStudios]

The PA line of the arrangers has the MOST sophisticated and complex Sound
editing of all existing arranger, simply it is exactly as on the Korg WSs,
it would be exact as on the M3 or Kronos (-extra engines) down to the last
detail you can imagine on the Motif for example it self.

[muziksculp]

That's Great to know, since I tend to do quite a bit of sound editing/design, so this is a very important detail/requirement.

I was under the (false) impression that Patches/Voices of Arrangers, in general, including KORG PA series Arrangers, were less editable than workstations, such as M3, KRONOS, MOTIF, ...etc. I think this might be true for some of the very basic, low budget, entry level arrangers.

Now I know better.

Cheers,
Muziksculp

[BasariStudios]

I think this might be true for some of the very basic, low budget, entry level arrangers.

Thats not valid for Korg...even the Lowest Level 1000$ PA500 beats the
Highest Level 4000$ Tyris4 when it comes to Sound Editing.
A PA50 has equal Sound Editing to PA2X. Down to the last function...-sampling.

[dimitris]

Nedim, what your opinion about Audya vs Pa3x??

Regards,
Dimitris

[BasariStudios]

I wont even compare the two, Ketron has a lot of HomeWork to do...
even if you mentioned PA2X i would still say the same...

[dimitris]

Nedim, do you still creating styles for Ketron Audya?

[BasariStudios]

Yeah, i still work with the synth, if its not better i am not bashing it but this
time PA3X went far ahead then any other competition so far by now.
Audya is a great machine too but in no way comparable to PA3X.

[dimitris]

I like that you are a direct person!

Regards,
Dimitris

[Bachus]

I wont even compare the two, Ketron has a lot of HomeWork to do...
even if you mentioned PA2X i would still say the same...

I dont think Nedims opinion on ketron is very objective after his bad early alfa experiences with ketron.

The latest build on audya 4 just runs great.. With awesome styles, lots better then pa2x and tyros 4.... But their solo voices got stuck behind pa2x and way behind tyros 4.

I think audy 4 is an ideal companion when used in combination with a top of the line synth workstation like Kronos, but it comes at a skyhigh price when you just want to use the styles..

[BasariStudios]

I have no problem with Ketron, you are right about certain points but thats
long gone by now, i am just trying to be honest. Audya is a really good
machine for an older UNTECHNOLOGICAL guy who just likes to sit down and
just play some music out of the Box, to me doesnt offer anything, nada, zero.
I find it a very boring instrument with basically nothing to do on it but it is
still a great sounding machine. Some of what i say is might not be objective
i admit but not due to being Ketron but due to my knowledge and experience,
which usually happens to me to get bored with an Instrument very fast if it
really doesnt offer anything...so far only Korg succeeded to make me happy.
I am still discovering KARMA and M3 after 3 years...Ketron i know by heart
in 3 days even the machines i never touched so basically you are right, this
is just my opinion and nothing else...and just for information i am not really
a Style guy, i never really paid attention to it, Sound is my priority...at least
in programming, editing e tc...i dont play live no more either. Basically i dont
know nothing about ANY arranger when it comes to LIVE features, even
Korg, when they ask questions on here about that i am quiet, i dont know
nothing, not even the sequencer...all i know about PA/TRITON/M3 is straight
Combi, Sound and Sampling Mode...except on the PA i can master Style
Mode too but besides that nothing, i dont know how to use the TC Helicon,
i dont know how to use the SongBook and many other things. All i am
concerned is just pure programming and what comes out of it. So i cant
really compare on to other how will they be used live, how will they sound
yes but not functionality wise.